Barry-Wehmiller has brought together six group companies under a united banner to form a strategic alliance of resources and services to, ‘better serve our customer base and to best launch next-generation technologies.’
The six companies in question are Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), Baldwin Technology, Winkler + Dünnebier (W+D), Stax Technologies, Hudson-Sharp, and Northern Engraving and Machine. They are now united under the banner of BW Converting Solutions.
Commenting, BW Converting Solutions’ Simon Blake, chief marketing officer for the united division, said, ‘It makes sense to combine this shared expertise and market knowledge into one major division to better serve our customer base, and to best launch next-generation technologies that will evolve the industry.’
Of the six, PCMC, Baldwin and W+D are to be presented to attendees at the forthcoming Printing United 2023 print industry expo.
Mr Blake continued, ‘Printing United is the curtain-raiser on what BW Converting Solutions offers the printing industry. Attendees will be able to get a first-look at the world of technology advancements we are developing to put our clients in the best position to not just succeed, but excel.’
From PCMC, this will include presenting its previously announced Ion hybrid printing technology. Ion is described as a packaging press with ‘the ability to produce larger digital runs cost competitively’, so meeting market needs for wider, faster printing with highest-quality, according to PCMC.
Specifically, Ion can be used to turn analogue presses into digital hybrid printing platforms. Ion can run at up to 90m/min (300ft/min) at a resolution of 1600 x 1260dpi. At a lower resolution of 1600 x 925dpi, a speed of 120m/min (400ft/min) can be achieved. Web widths of 915mm, 1066mm and 1320mm ( 36in, 42in and 52in) available for paper, film and folding carton applications. Ion is fully modular, CMYK inkjet and flexo print stations that can be custom configured to meet a variety of customer challenges.
Windell McGill, product launch manager at PCMC, said, ‘Keep an eye on Ion because it will enable incredible speed-to-market advancements. As more brands and private-label retailers are looking to enhance the retail experience through connected packaging via mobile phones, Ion can enable the printing of QR codes closer to the time of actual product filling.’
Printing United 2023 takes place at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta, across 18-20 October.
Find out about Printing Untied 2023 and other upcoming industry events here
